At any rate, theyre interestin, murmured Vance.
Then Vance,who had been watching Jessup closely during the interview, spoke. They
didnt hear me,because the portieres were drawn. Markham and Vance and I went out and
entered the car. So I tried the side door to see ifit was open.
But, consider, protested Vance banteringly. Heath
straightway assumed the role of inquisitor. There was silence in the apartment for
several minutes. It seems theonly logical way left, according to your own
findings.
Pon my word, Markham, he rejoined evenly, Im half
inclined tolook into this silly murder. At length he looked up and nodded to the
waiting attendant.
He calls for her a little after seven, andthey go
out together.
Then he tossed me half a dollar andwent
out.
He turned to Heath, and spokewith forced
cheeriness.
That would be fine, sir, ifsomething else hadnt
happened around here last night.
Maybe a quarter past, the janitor amended, with
Germanicprecision.
His jawwas clamped tight, and he shifted his eyes
from one to the other ofus suspiciously.
Pon my word, Markham, he rejoined evenly, Im half
inclined tolook into this silly murder.
Did you leave theswitchboard often, or for long?
There was a note of disappointmentin Markhams voice. Jessup hesitated and frowned
reflectively.
For the first time since entering the room the man
appeared ill atease.
Heath, who was now staring with meditative
pugnacity into thecloset, shook his head helplessly. Ive got pressing work at the
office, he said, and all this talkisnt getting us anywhere. But whats bothering me
is how hegot in here.
Thats how I had it figured out, sir, returned
Heath. Moreover, you, Sergeant, found it bolted this morning.
The day man and myselfalternate in long and short
shifts.
The man nodded his head affirmatively severaltimes.
The initial revolution will take place outsideof this office. But waittill you hear
what the phone operator has to say.